“This is not good news at all,” she said. “It’s my mother’s favourite store . . . it’s such a beautiful store.”

Compared to the large chains, she said, the “cultural fabric of Canada” was woven through the shelves of the shop.

Last year Hoare closed his stores in Ottawa and the original location in Montreal, opened in 1971, due to sharp rent hikes. The lease was coming up on the Toronto property and he had to make a decision.

His blog states: “Thus concludes a golden era in bookselling, from three entirely different cities, each with its own character, style and tastes.”

He says he’s looking forward to retiring to his 350-acre property in Nova Scotia.

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